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iamspuddy
21-07-2021, 07:44 PM
have i bit off more than i can chew...maybe time will tell

i wanted a bigger mill , i currently have a denford triac atc running off mach3 which i will end up selling .

so i bought from a friend a far too big vmc for my home garage .
it has a 7.5kw spindle 3ph
control techniques vfd
centroid m400 controls
bt40 atc
centroid servo motors
linear guides
rtk3 control board
32mm lead screws

etc.
unfortunately the base and z tower castings are massive

knowing it was physically too big the plan was too break it down ,

cannibalise the parts i could reuse and build myself a machine from scratch with 240v 1ph supply .

so i will need to build a frame to mount the y axis and z axis on
i plan to use the original table with the original x axis

so i will need some help in the design ,im in no rush i suspect it will be a year or so before its finished but guidance on the best direction to go in will be a great help .

i will definitely keep the ball screws linear guides x table . hopefully the servos and their controller if i can modify the rectifier with a big capacitor for 1ph.

i would like to keep the m400 and rtk3 but i imagine the plc will need modifying by someone who knows their onions .
but if not maybe centroid acorn and a pc
i have a feeling the very heavy 7.5kw 3 ph spindle will be too much so that may have to go and something smaller may be required .

any help
do's
don't do's
would be appreciated

thanks

JAZZCNC
21-07-2021, 08:51 PM
Personally, I think you'd be mad to cannibalize that machine because you'll never build one as good. The parts won't transfer very well as they are sized for a machine that size and will be far too large for a smaller machine. If you really don't have space and can't make space then I would clean it up and sell it on then put the money into a smaller machine with more suitable and modern parts.

The spindle could be used with a Single- phase to Three-phase VFD, these can be bought from China for a few £100. The rest of it will be 240V single phase or 110v which is easily enough transformed.

iamspuddy
21-07-2021, 09:33 PM
thanks for the reply its 75% stripped the 4th picture shows the current state . So already past the point of no return . i either have the basis of a custom machine . or a load of parts for sale.
There was initially a problem with the m400 control .
im comfortable if i only keep the hiwin rails and bearings x carriage bt40 spindle and table and screws to be honest .

So if i proceed i need to build a frame to build off as a starting point so i wondered what the best plan of attack was for that as a starter
do's and dont's

thanks

JAZZCNC
22-07-2021, 06:41 PM
So if i proceed i need to build a frame to build off as a starting point so i wondered what the best plan of attack was for that as a starter
do's and dont's

Well, I still say the Do's are Don't do it.!! It wouldn't be a large effort to put back together in comparison to building a new chassis, most of what's missing is just sheet metal which you would remove anyway if was renovating the machine.

Honestly, I don't think you realize the work that will be involved to get anything close to the strength and accuracy that machine will offer you.